We may not be able to travel to every country on Earth, but a great way to get a taste of a culture is to sample its signature dishes. Try cooking up a storm in your own kitchen or – when dining out is on the cards again – find a great restaurant and let your taste buds set sail on a culinary adventure across the globe. Here’s a selection of popular dishes you shouldn’t miss.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Beef Wellington, England, UK
A dish that’s fallen out of favor and then become popular again more times than we can count, beef Wellington’s origins are as unclear as its connection to Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. Traditionally, it’s a beef fillet steak, coated in pâté and mushroom duxelles (an extremely finely chopped mixture of mushrooms, shallots and herbs), wrapped in puff pastry, then baked. Its modern-day popularity is largely thanks to Gordon Ramsay who’s made it one of his signature dishes.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Onion soup, France
Very few dishes are as comforting as French onion soup – a blend of mellow, slowly cooked, caramelized onions in a broth laced with white wine and cognac. It’s thought that a version of the soup has existed since at least Roman times, but the modern version originated in 18th-century Paris. The soup is served in a ramekin, topped with a slice of baguette and cheese that’s then melted under a grill.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Peking duck, China
A dish cooked and eaten in Beijing since the Imperial era, today Peking duck is a Chinese restaurant favorite across the world. There are countless methods of preparing and cooking the duck, but originally it was roasted in a closed oven until the kitchens of the Qing Dynasty developed the open-oven style to cook several ducks at the same time. The duck is then served with steamed Chinese pancakes, cucumber, scallion and sweet bean sauce.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Shakshuka, the Middle East
Claimed as one of their own throughout North Africa and the Middle East, untangling the web of where shakshuka is from is simply impossible. All we know is that it’s an incredibly tasty and filling dish that’s become a popular breakfast and brunch meal throughout the world. Literally translating as a mixture, it’s usually cooked by reducing down tomatoes, onions and a range of spices before the eggs are poached on top.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Laksa, Malaysia
A spicy, sweet, sour and fragrant soup from Southeast Asia, laksa is mostly associated with Malaysia. The origins are murky with several theories in different countries and a wide range of laksa exist, from regional varieties to differences in preparation. Typically, either a rich and spicy coconut milk broth or a sour asam broth made with tamarind, the soup is made with thick wheat noodles or rice vermicelli and served with chicken, prawn or fish.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Clam chowder, USA
Creamy clam chowder is Massachusetts’ finest dish that’s prevalent throughout New England. Made with potatoes, crushed oyster crackers and chunks of local clam, it’s a flavorful and hearty dish to have all year long. The most famous place to eat it, Legal Sea Foods in Boston, began life as a market frequented by Julia Child and has been cooking up perfect chowder for decades.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Gua bao, Taiwan
The popularity of bao buns has skyrocketed in the Western world in the last decade or so and while these steamed buns are Chinese in origin, it’s the Taiwanese version that’s proved to be the most popular. A traditional gua bao consists of slices of pork belly meat dressed with pickled mustard greens, cilantro and ground peanuts.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Bouillabaisse, France
Bouillabaisse is synonymous with the South of France, especially the port city of Marseille, and is a wonderful celebration of sea creatures caught just off the coast. The soup is made with a selection of spices and Provençal herbs as well as heady saffron. Various fish and shellfish are then added at different times to cook in the broth. In Marseille the broth is traditionally served separate from the seafood with slices of bread and rouille (a sauce of olive oil, breadcrumbs, garlic, saffron and cayenne pepper) on the side.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Goulash, Hungary
Although often cooked as a meat sauce or stew across Europe and beyond, the traditional Hungarian goulash is actually a soup. Beef shin, shank or shoulder and vegetables (typically carrot, peppers, celery but not potatoes) are heavily seasoned with paprika and traditionally slowly simmered in broth over an open fire in a cauldron. It’s then eaten either in a bread bowl or with the Hungarian version of spaetzle noodles.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Texas-style barbecue, Texas, USA
Other states along the so-called barbecue belt that include the Carolinas, Tennessee and Kentucky will have to forgive us, but Texan barbecue takes the spotlight. Drawing on the diverse cultural traditions within the state, Texas-style barbecue has strong German and Czech influences, and mostly features brisket, sausage and beef short ribs as well as smoked meats. The selection of sides usually includes some type of a slaw and beans as well as potato salad, mac ‘n’ cheese, fried okra or green beans.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Ramen, Japan
A Japanese noodle soup, ramen has grown in popularity outside of Japan in the last decade and it’s easy to see why. In its simple form, it’s a rich meat (or occasionally fish) broth, flavored with soy or miso and served with toppings such as mushrooms, seaweed, sesame seeds, scallions and soft-boiled egg. As with most dishes, there are regional varieties too, including the most popular tonkotsu (pork bone broth) ramen of Kyushu and the miso ramen of Hokkaido.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Cacio e pepe, Italy
There are countless divine Italian pasta recipes, but this one is genius in its simplicity. Translating as cheese and pepper, the dish, as its name suggests, uses a handful of basic ingredients: black pepper, cheese, pasta and butter. You’ll find versions made with either spaghetti, linguine or pici, which is a short, thick worm-like pasta, and there’s also debate about what cheese to use – it’s usually either Parmesan or pecorino romano.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Southern fried chicken, USA
You might think that there couldn’t be anything easier than deep-frying a piece of chicken – but you’d be wrong to assume it’s as simple as that. Making the perfect batter, adding just the right amount of seasoning and choosing the best way to fry takes practice. A dish deeply rooted in the American South, a perfect basket of fried chicken is one for the bucket list.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Boeuf bourguignon, France
This classic French dish might look rustic, but plenty of work and skill goes into making it just right. Consisting of beef slowly braised in red wine, plus beef stock, carrots, onions and sometimes mushrooms, this super-rich dish is packed with layers of flavor. It’s also become one of the most famous recipes from Julia Child’s groundbreaking cookbook The French Chef.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Barramundi, Australia
Barramundi is key to Australian cuisine and you’d be hard pressed to find a restaurant, a café or a fish and chip shop Down Under that doesn’t have it on the menu. This white fish can be fried, grilled, barbecued, baked, chargrilled or steamed, and it’s excellent when served with a lemon and dill butter.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Raclette, Switzerland
Both the name of a cheese and a full dish, this is a traditional après-ski meal. The cheese is either melted under a grill or in a little pan and then served with potatoes, cornichons, pickled onions and sometimes a selection of charcuterie. Thought to have been invented in the Swiss canton of Valais, it’s traditionally made with raclette cheese produced in the region.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Pho, Vietnam
This warm, comforting noodle dish has taken the world by storm and rightly so. Its apparent simplicity hides complex flavors that are at once unctuous and refreshing. Born in northern Vietnam in the late 19th century, pho’s development was influenced by Chinese and French cooking, mirroring the history of the country. Today, it is a uniquely Vietnamese offering that you won’t have to go far to find, wherever you are in the world.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Poutine, Canada
It might not be a looker, but this Québec dish is certainly delicious, and is now not only popular across Canada and the northeast of the US but further afield too. Comprising fluffy-on-the-inside, crunchy-on-the-outside French fries, and thick, rich and meaty gravy, poutine is elevated to a culinary event by the addition of cheese curds. These small, solidified white cheese bites retain some of their shape under the heat of the gravy.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Biryani, India
A celebration of spices and rice, biryani’s origins lie with the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent. Today, endless varieties of biryani exist, depending on the region where it’s cooked and the cook who makes it, but the basics – rice and an assortment of spices – remain untouchable. You can make yours with meat or skip it for a vegan or vegetarian treat.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Hamburger, USA
The hamburger has its roots in Germany and is named after the city of Hamburg where, during the 19th century, local beef was ground and mixed with onions and garlic and then formed into patties. But the dish we know and love today is no doubt an American icon. The modern incarnation is attributed to several Americans and is an essential part of the American food culture.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Tacos, Mexico
These soft corn tortillas full of delicious beef, pork and chicken have mysterious origins that are often traced back to Mexico’s 18th-century silver mines. Contrary to American tacos, the Mexican version doesn’t include garnishes like lettuce, tomato, cheese or even sour cream. In fact, Mexican tacos are usually topped with cilantro, finely diced white onion and a type of salsa or, sometimes, guacamole.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Smørrebrød, Denmark
A dish commonly found across all Scandinavian and Baltic countries, this open-faced sandwich has its roots in Denmark. Back in the 1800s, slices of rye bread where used instead of a plate and the tradition of smørrebrød (literally, buttered bread) started when decorating the bread slices became a fashionable craze. Common toppings include pickled herring, shrimps or smoked salmon which is then paired with sliced egg, mayonnaise and cress. Modern smørrebrød can also be vegetarian, vegan or topped with meat.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Som tam, Southeast Asia
This spicy, crunchy salad is the taste of Southeast Asia on a plate, made with shredded unripe green papaya and other local fruit and vegetables tossed in a delicious sweet and sour dressing of palm sugar, chili peppers and lime juice. Originating from Laos, it’s also eaten throughout Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Making a traditional som tam means lots of shredding and pounding with a pestle and mortar, but modern, less messy and time-consuming takes on the traditional dish abound.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Arepa, Venezuela and Colombia
Arepa is a type of traditional bread from Colombia and Venezuela, which is made from cornmeal and stuffed with sweet or savory fillings. The flat, round, unleavened dough is grilled, baked, fried, boiled or steamed and eaten daily in the region, where the recipe has remained largely unchanged for centuries.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Kebab, Turkey
The kebab has a long heritage (the name was first recorded as far back as the 14th century) and is thought to have originated in Turkey with soldiers cooking their freshly hunted meat over open fires. Kebabs come in a multitude of varieties, from the popular shish and döner to regional specialities like Adana and testi. Traditionally, only lamb is used, however, as tastes have evolved so has the variety of meats.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Falafel, Middle East
This round, deep-fried patty of ground chickpeas, herbs, spices and onions makes for a tasty veggie treat. Falafel has a thousand-year history, probably hailing from Egypt, where it was eaten as a substitute for meat by Coptic Christians during Lent and was made with fava beans. The dish later migrated towards the Levant, where it took on its current chickpea form.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Poke, Hawaii, USA
The native Hawaiian diced raw fish dish, meaning ‘to slice’ in Hawaiian, has surged in popularity across the US in recent years, probably due to the appeal of its healthy, fresh ingredients. But this taste of the sea has ancient roots that date back a long time, when native islanders would rub sea salt, seaweed and traditional relish inamona into their fresh catches.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Beef stroganoff, Russia
A 19th-century invention by French chefs working for the Stroganovs (an influential Russian merchant family), beef stroganoff has become a staple in many homes in Eastern and Central Europe. It’s traditionally a dish of sautéed beef and sliced mushrooms served with a sour cream sauce, but different versions of beef stroganoff exist in other parts of the world, including Scandinavia and even Brazil.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Khachapuri, Georgia
These doughy vessels – carrying cheese, butter and a runny egg in the center – are as Georgian as it gets. The country’s national dish, it’s perfect as a sharing starter or as a side as part of a bigger meal. In Georgia, khachapuri is such a popular, widely available dish that it’s even used to measure inflation levels in different Georgian cities (this is known as the Khachapuri Index).
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Dim sum, China
A meal of small savory and sweet dishes – mostly steamed and fried dumplings, buns and rolls – dim sum’s history is inextricably linked to the old Chinese tea houses. Served in bamboo steamers, dim sum means touch the heart in Cantonese and has since evolved into an essential element of Chinese cuisine. Traditionally enjoyed from the early hours until mid-morning, it may well be a forerunner of the modern-day brunch.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Beef rendang, Indonesia
This tasty West Sumatran curry gets bags of flavor from its long cooking process, which involves combining beef with a spicy paste of garlic, onion, red chilies, turmeric, ginger, pepper, lemongrass, galangal, star anise, kaffir lime leaves, bay leaves and turmeric leaves. It is then mixed with coconut milk and cooked until the meat is tender and the liquid is caramelized around it.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Sushi, Japan
Most of us think sushi is all about the quality and freshness of the raw fish – but while that’s no doubt important, it’s the rice that’s at the heart of the matter. The word sushi is an old Japanese term that literally means it’s sour. Today, there are five main types of sushi – nigiri (fish served on rice), sashimi (fish without rice), maki (rice and filling wrapped in seaweed), uramaki (seaweed wraps around the filling with rice on the outside) and temaki (cone-shaped).
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Masala dosa, India
Eaten across several parts of Asia for breakfast, lunch or dinner, the dosa is a fermented crêpe made from rice batter and black lentils that enjoys a history stretching back a whopping 2,000 years. The masala dosa is a variation that’s stuffed with a delicious filling of parboiled potatoes, fried onions and spices. Often served with coconut and tomato chutney, it’s one of South India’s most popular and tasty snacks.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Moules frites, Belgium
From the coast to the streets of Brussels, Belgians love sitting down to a lunch consisting of crispy, golden French fries and a big, steamy pot of mussels. Although mussels come steamed in a variety of broths and sauces with myriad ingredients, nothing beats a classic moules marinière – a mix of white wine, onions, parsley, cream and butter.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Tagine, Morocco
A sweet and warming slow-cooked stew served in the terracotta pot it’s cooked in (and from which it takes its name), the tagine has been a staple of Moroccan cuisine for centuries. For a mouthwatering meal, you can mix meat or poultry with vegetables or fruit, and the delicate spices of turmeric, cinnamon, saffron, ginger and cumin. Originally a Berber dish, it has gathered Arab, Ottoman, Moorish and French influences throughout time.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Köttbullar, Sweden
Whether or not the Swedish meatball owes its international profile to IKEA is debatable. What is true is that the country has declared the origins of its national dish to be Turkish. They’re based on a recipe King Charles XII brought back in the early 18th century and are traditionally served with a creamy, brown gravy-like sauce, mashed or boiled potatoes and lingonberry jelly.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Pizza Napoletana, Italy
If ever a foodstuff needed no introduction it would be pizza. And if any pizza can lay claim to being the forebearer of an international obsession, it’s the pizza Napoletana hailing from Naples in Italy. Made specifically with Mozzarella di Bufala Campana and either San Marzano or Roma tomatoes, it then has to be cooked precisely 60 to 90 seconds in 905ºF (485ºC) in a wood-fired oven.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Rarebit, Wales, UK
So much more than grilled cheese on toast, real Welsh rarebit has a sensational sauce made of melted Cheddar with mustard, ale and Worcestershire sauce, which is poured over the toast rather than grilled. Some recipes call for the addition of egg yolks that contribute to an incredibly creamy and rich sauce. Whichever way you do it, it’s without a doubt one of the UK’s most comforting foods.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Pierogi, Poland
Although variations of pierogi are popular across Russia, Ukraine, Georgia and Belarus, pierogi are synonymous with Polish cuisine. A variety of fillings, both sweet and savory, are wrapped in a thinly rolled dough and then pan-fried (or boiled, if sweet) to be served as a snack, first course or dessert. The most popular savory fillings include sauerkraut or a meat and onion mix, while sweet varieties usually contain sweet curd cheese or bilberries and sugar.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Gumbo, Louisiana, USA
The official dish of Louisiana, both Creole and Cajun gumbo are a testament to the state’s melting-pot culture, although the actual origins are foggy. The name comes from the West African for okra, and the dish itself uses a kind of roux, so there’s a clear French influence too. What we do know is that this heartening stew – cooked with the Louisiana Holy Trinity of celery, bell peppers and onions – is a delight.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Ceviche, Peru
This dish is so much a part of Peru’s heritage that the country has a holiday to celebrate it on 28 June. Chunks of raw fish are marinated for a couple of minutes in lime juice along with onions, chili peppers, salt and oil. Traditionally, ceviche is served at room temperature with sides like corn and sweet or white potatoes and a cold beer.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Sauerbraten, Germany
Sauerbraten, the German national dish, is a pot roast made of beef rump that’s traditionally marinated for days in a mixture of vinegar or red wine (or both), water, herbs and spices. It’s then served with a rich, sweet-sour gravy. Many people think the meal dates back as far as Charlemagne himself in the 9th century, while other documents say that Julius Caesar was the inspiration behind the dish – it’s believed he sent amphoras filled with beef marinated in wine to the new Roman colony of Cologne.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Colcannon, Ireland
Historically, this simple plate of mashed potatoes and kale (or cabbage), with milk, butter, salt and pepper, was eaten in Ireland year-round, usually with boiled ham. So beloved is colcannon that there are even songs about it and it’s also the traditional Irish Halloween dish.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Jollof rice, West Africa
A West African one-pot dish, jollof rice has its origins hotly contested by Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and a few other West African countries. In the Nigerian version, the rice is added to a spicy tomato sauce and simmered until ready. Ghanaians use basmati rice instead of long grain and their take on jollof rice is also spicier. Which is better? We couldn’t possibly say.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Jerk chicken, Jamaica
A style of marinating meat native to Jamaica, jerk is made with allspice and Scotch bonnet peppers, and its name is believed to be Spanish, derived from the Peruvian word charqui, meaning dried strips of meat. The meat is grilled, and the resulting flavors and aromas are deliciously smoky and spicy. You’ll find jerk huts pretty much everywhere across the Caribbean.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Chicken Kiev, Russia
These breadcrumb-crusted chicken breasts – with an oozing center of garlicky loveliness – won over hearts and taste buds to become a beloved British ready meal in the 1980s. But the chicken Kiev has an altogether more illustrious heritage. Named after the capital of Ukraine, it’s still unclear whether it was invented in Russia, Ukraine or France, where lots of Russian chefs trained at the time, to then return to Moscow and St Petersburg to cook French cuisine for the bourgeoisie.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Singapore noodles, Hong Kong
Another misnamed dish, these curried noodles don’t actually come from Singapore. In fact, the stir-fried vermicelli noodles with curry powder, vegetables, scrambled eggs and meat are Cantonese in origin and widely eaten in Hong Kong, yet pretty much unheard of in Singapore. Today, the dish is a much-loved takeout classic in many countries.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Haggis, neeps and tatties, Scotland, UK
Immortalized as the “great chieftain o the puddin’-race” by Robert Burns, the savory meat pudding of sheep offal with suet, oatmeal, onion and spices boiled in a bag is synonymous with Scotland. Eaten to celebrate Burns Night in January, haggis is traditionally served with neeps and tatties, also known as mashed potato and turnips, and, of course, a wee dram. Perfect fare to fend off the winter chills.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Bibimbap, South Korea
Loaded with warm white rice at the bottom and an arrangement of sliced beef, sautéed and pickled vegetables as well as a variety of sauces and a runny egg on top, bibimbap is a Korean food icon. Traditionally, the dish was eaten on the eve of the lunar new year when the family had to get rid of all the leftovers. Today, it’s a popular lunch and dinner dish eaten across the world.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Feijoada, Brazil
Although it is considered the national dish of Brazil, feijoada is popular in many parts of the world. The Brazilian version of the stew traditionally consists of pork trimmings (including ears, tail, tongue and snout), which are transformed into an aromatic stew thanks to a variety of seasonings and spices, as well as hearty black beans.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Asado, Argentina
Asado is more than just a barbecue. Its roots are with the Pampas gauchos of the mid-18th to 19th century, who roasted beef close to a slow-burning fire on a metal structure called an asador. In Argentina, it’s a way of life and most families gather for one once a week. The asador, or cook, will place simply seasoned meat – prime cuts, offal and sausages served together – over a flame, preferably from a wood fire, for around two hours. Meat is served medium to well done.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Wiener schnitzel, Austria
A thin, pan-fried veal cutlet that has been pounded, salted and rolled in a crust of flour, eggs and breadcrumbs, the wiener schnitzel is a Viennese speciality. The key is to shallow-fry it swimming in clarified butter or lard so it goes a lovely golden yellow all over. Modern versions also use pork instead of veal and the meat is served with boiled potatoes.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Fish and chips, UK
When you’ve found the perfect cozy pub or enjoyed a long stroll on a blustery British beach, nothing else will do. The dish has a foggy origin story, with potential 19th-century roots in both Lancashire and London – indeed, chips (chipped potatoes) were a cheap, tasty, staple food in the industrial north and fried fish was common in London’s East End. Whatever the truth, battered white fish married with the perfect chip is a national passion that has never abated.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Bobotie, South Africa
Curried meat and fruit with a creamy, egg-based golden topping, bobotie (pronounced ba-boor-tea) is South Africa’s national dish. With a mixed cultural heritage, it’s been around for centuries. Think of it as somewhere between a shepherd’s pie and a moussaka and you’ll be on the right track.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Moussaka, Greece
A good moussaka is a fine dish to have in your repertoire. Its layers of creamy sauce, potato, ground meat and eggplant create a rich, hearty dish that’s perfect for a family get-together. Also common in Turkey and Lebanon, moussaka is thought to have been around since Arabs brought the eggplant to Greece.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Banitsa, Bulgaria
This cheesy Bulgarian breakfast pastry can be served hot or cold, and is often eaten with plain yogurt, ayran (traditional yogurt drink), or boza (a fermented drink), in much the same way the French would eat a croissant. It’s made of egg and cheese placed between sheets of filo pastry, which is then wrapped into a spiral, and hidden treats or messages are added on special occasions.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Plov, Uzbekistan
A meaty rice dish, plov comes in more than 60 varieties and forms the heart of Uzbek cuisine. Its essence is long grain rice steamed with saffron, with a layer of eggs, flour, butter and yogurt at the bottom. Meat, dried fruit, fresh herbs, fish, vegetables and spices are often piled on top. But, at its most basic, plov is rice with onions and carrots with a meat like mutton or lamb, and its history can be traced back more than a thousand years.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Pastel de choclo, Chile
A kind of Chilean shepherd’s pie, pastel de choclo, literally corn pie, is a popular comfort food that combines the cultures of the native people and the Spanish conquistadors in its mix of South American corn and ground beef. The base of beef, chicken, onions, olives and hard-boiled eggs gains a sweet kick from the addition of raisins in a way that’s typical of South American cooking.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Paella, Spain
No visit to Spain is complete without a taste of the local paella, a seafood and rice dish as synonymous with sunshine as its delicious flavors. The paella has ancient roots but began taking its modern form in 19th-century Albufeira, near Valencia, when workers would cook rice and seafood over an open fire. Paella Valenciana also includes chicken, while the most famous, paella mixta, is a mixture of both chicken and seafood. It is often said that there are as many variations of paella as there are cooks making it.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Pad Thai, Thailand
Thailand’s national dish, pad Thai is a popular street food across the country. Although there are many pad Thai variations, the dish usually sees rice noodles stir-fried with eggs, tofu, tamarind paste, fish sauce, dried shrimps, palm sugar and red chili pepper, then topped with peanuts. Combining sweet, salty, umami and sour flavors, it’s a taste sensation that’s loved across the globe.